For decades, Detroit has been a city rich in artistic expression, yet a key community has been largely left out of the conversation: artists with developmental disabilities and mental health differences. That changed in 2021 with the launch of the Progressive Art Studio Collective (PASC)—the first studio and exhibition program in Detroit and Wayne County dedicated to supporting these artists in their creative and career journeys.
PASC ARTIST ANTHONY LOWE
Founded by artist, curator, writer and educator Anthony Marcellini as a program of Services to Enhance Potential (STEP), PASC was built on a model that has existed in other cities since the 1970s but had never been introduced in Detroit. These programs create open-studio environments where artists with disabilities receive professional guidance, not in a traditional classroom setting, but through mentorship and support. “We call everyone an artist once they enter the program,” says Marcellini. “It’s about confidence-building and showing the world that these are talented artists.”
PASC operates three studios in Detroit, Westland, and Southgate, currently serving over 190 artists. Its mission is clear: to provide a creative space where individuals with disabilities can explore and develop their artistic talents, while also ensuring their work reaches a wider audience through gallery exhibitions, local partnerships, and even national and international platforms.
PASC artists attend sessions on a fixed schedule, anywhere from once a week to five times a week. The program uses a mentorship model, where a staff, called art advisors, work closely with the artists to facilitate artistic growth. “Consistency, comfort, and trust are key to the development of their work,” says Marcellini. “We make sure the same advisors are scheduled with the same artists to help build those relationships.”
Unlike conventional art programs, PASC doesn’t enforce rigid curricula. Instead, artists are encouraged to experiment and refine their own unique styles. “We let their creative process unfold naturally,” Marcellini explains. “Forcing someone into a structured way of working can derail confidence. The uniqueness of an artist’s voice is what makes their work stand out.”
Throughout the year, PASC holds artist critiques where participants discuss their work in a group setting. This not only strengthens communication skills but also prepares them for a professional art career.
KEISHA MILLERS’ “SPRING FASHION”
PASC has already made significant waves in Detroit’s art world. The organization has had exhibitions at the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit (MOCAD), and PASC artists’ work has been collected by the Cranbrook Art Museum and other institutions. “We want our artists to be featured in exhibitions alongside artists without disabilities,” Marcellini emphasizes. “That’s key to our mission.”
Upcoming projects include an exhibition, “The Sea and the Sky, and You and I” opening May 17, curated by Allison Glenn at The Shepherd that will feature PASC artists Chantell Donwell, Keisha Miller, and Dameon Miller alongside national and local artists. “When our artists’ work is placed in these types of exhibitions, it shows the strength of their artwork, their style, and the impact of this program.”
The Importance of a Public Space
PASC recently moved its Detroit studio and gallery to the Lantern Building, part of the East Village development led by Library Street Collective founders Anthony and JJ Curis. This relocation marked a turning point, making the Detroit studio a fully public space, and opening their first permanent gallery in Detroit. “Anthony and JJ are huge supporters of PASC,” says Marcellini.
Being in a respected arts district elevates our program and helps introduce our artists to new audiences.
Marcellini says many of their artists have difficulty advocating for themselves in the art world. PASC helps bridge this gap by functioning as a traditional gallery model, actively promoting their artists and seeking opportunities for them. “The more recognition our artists receive, the more the art world is willing to accept them,” Marcellini says.
Expanding Beyond Detroit
PASC ARTIST ANGEL TWEETY WITH ADVISOR ELINI ZAHAROPOULOS
PASC isn’t just focused on local impact—it’s aiming for national and international recognition. The organization recently attended a NYC art opening, an open invitational in Miami and participated in Art Basel. Looking forward, PASC aims to expand its reach by participating in more art fairs and forging international partnerships.
One recent initiative is the Progressive Art Studio Alliance, a national coalition of similar studios that support artists with disabilities. “We launched this alliance to advocate for programs like ours and to ensure that studios across the country have the funding and resources they need,” says Marcellini. PASC is also working on an exchange exhibition in Rotterdam, Netherlands, showcasing work by its artists alongside Dutch artists with disabilities.
Marcellini’s vision for PASC is clear: more support, better materials, greater opportunities.
There’s still a social stigma surrounding artists with disabilities,” he reflects. “But when you see their artwork in major exhibitions and collected by top collectors and institutions, it starts changing perceptions about who can be a contemporary artist.
Many PASC artworks are available for sale through the website or in person at the Detroit and Southgate Galleries. PASC Detroit, 9301 Kercheval Ave, STE 2, Detroit, MI 48214, PASC Southgate, Gallery and Studio 13721 Eureka Road, Southgate, MI 48195.
As always, be sure to subscribe to our newsletter for regular updates on all things Detroit.
